Choosing Quality Early Childhood Curricula, Rachel E. Schachter, Shayne B. Piasta, Laura M. Justice

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

This article summarizes a study investigating the curricula and features of those curricula used by 497 early childhood educators across one Midwestern state. Curricula were identified and coded for quality features derived from the research, theory, and policy literatures. Results indicated that most educators utilized Creative Curriculum or High Scope (over 60%); however, these and many other curricula did not include all the key quality features. Importantly, most educators were utilizing curricula with no evidence of effectiveness for supporting children’s outcomes. Furthermore, limitations in the presence of key curricula features may indicate that curricula generally are not adequately supporting early …

An Investigation Into The Curricula (Type And Quality) Used By Early Childhood Educators, Rachel E. Schachter, Shayne B. Piasta, Laura M. Justice

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Most preschool-aged children spend time in Head Start and other center-based care. Thus, early educators’ use of a quality curriculum is essential to maximizing children’s learning. We examined the curricula utilized by educators working in diverse settings with children ages 3 to 5, focusing on key features of quality curriculum identified from the literature. Most educators (75%) reported using formal curricula. Creative Curriculum and HighScope were the most common; 6% of educators reported no curriculum use. There was a lack of consensus regarding what constitutes curriculum with 16% of participants reporting the use of materials generally not considered curriculum (e.g., …

Reflections On Teaching Cyaf 374, Curriculum Planning In Early Childhood Education: A Peer Review Of Teaching Portfolio, Christine Kiewra

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

In this course portfolio, I reflect on teaching methods and materials as they relate to course goals and learning outcomes for an undergraduate early childhood education course, CYAF 374. This course offers students a developmental, child-centered approach to designing, implementing, and evaluating learning experiences for children from birth to grade 3. The course is for students who are preparing to teach in Early Childhood, Inclusive Early Childhood, or Primary classrooms. The focus of my reflection and evaluation is on principles of effective teaching practice, experiential learning, reflective practice, and collaboration implemented throughout the course. Finally, I reflect upon successes and …

Middle School Science Teachers’ Experience With The Change To Inquiry-Based By Instruction, Patricia Adams-Gouthro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Middle school science teachers in a Northeastern urban school district incorporated an inquiry-based curriculum (IBC) using the full option science system (FOSS) to improve instruction; however, the teachers struggled to change their teaching practices. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore teachers’ experiences with and their changes in instructional practices using the FOSS curriculum. The concerns-based adoption model was the framework that guided this study. The research questions focused on identifying the levels of use, stages of concern, and experiences and needs teachers had using the FOSS curriculum. A purposeful sample of 14 middle school science teachers, …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Jeffrey Allen Hinton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem at the local site was a gap in practice in that teachers were not using culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) in their delivery of lessons, which may have contributed to an achievement gap between European American and Asian American students and African American and Latinx students. This problem was important because local ACT results indicated that a significant achievement gap existed between these student populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ use of CRP, which may serve to mitigate the achievement gap. The conceptual framework for this study was self-determination theory. The research questions focused on …

A Multifaceted Performance Model For The Multiple Percussion Performance Practice: Performance Analysis Of Select Works Toward Developing A Graduate Curriculum, Mitchell Joseph Greco

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this document is to articulate the various dimensions of the solo multiple percussion performance practice, the primary objective being to construct appropriate graduate curricula. It was found that the necessary skills and concepts could be categorized into four dimensions that make up the multi-faceted model: (1) equipment and setup, (2) notational style, (3) technical demands, and (4) conceptual performance. Requisite skills were posited from performance analyses of over fifty solo works that range from intermediate to advanced difficulty. Representative works are described that might effectively introduce and challenge these requisite skills and concepts, as are exemplary pieces …

Measuring The Effects Of A Student Teaching-Based Unit On 3rd Graders’ Perceptions Of Engineers And Engineering, Taylor Cobb, Scott Townsend

Honors Theses

Measuring the Effects of a Student Teaching-Based Unit on 3rd Graders’ Perceptions of Engineers and Engineering

Taylor Cobb

Dr. Scott Townsend, Department of Education

Abstract

This paper explores previous findings on this topic and extends the level of research to lower grades of students. The research articles vary in finding for some upper elementary grade but eventually reach the same overall general consensus. Majority of researchers found that students do not have a clear understanding of what engineers are or what they do. They often confuse engineers with scientists, vocational workers, and train conductors. Of all the varying studies conducted …

The Van Hiele Analysis Of Curricular Materials: A Comparative Study, Vinay Kumar Kalyankar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to investigate K-8 geometry curriculum standards and textbooks for their effectiveness in preparing students for high school geometry. The basis for the study is van Hiele theory pioneered by the Dutch educators and researchers of geometric understanding in adolescents, Dina van Hiele Geldof and Pierre van Hiele. Another driving force for this dissertation is research into mathematics textbooks and curriculum standards of school mathematics as seen in CCSSM and state specific standards documents, both of which influence the mathematics students have the opportunity to learn.

The K-8 geometry curriculum standards and textbook instructional segments …

Increasing Expression Of Civic-Engagement Values By Students In A Service-Learning Chemistry Course, Audrey E. Mcgowin, Rebecca Teed

Chemistry Faculty Publications

A service-learning course at a midsized Midwestern research university was modified over a period of six years to integrate best-practice pedagogies that have been shown to increase civic engagement by students. Best-practice pedagogies included regular interaction with community partner(s), significant time spent on the service activity, and regular reflection (written and verbal) on the implications of the service activity. Besides water quality monitoring, students performed private well water analysis, wrote multiple formal reflection papers, and presented a public talk on the results of their project that included significant discussion time with community partners. Authentic expression of civic engagement values was …

Quick And Easy Notes: Practical Strategies For Busy Teachers, C. C. Bates, Stephanie Madison Schenck, Hayley J. Hoover

Publications

Teachers’ knowledge of each child helps them to plan appropriately challenging environments and activities that are tailored to the children’s strengths and needs. Assessing children regularly is essential to build that individualized knowledge—and to identify children who may benefit from more specialized supports. This article offers practical tips for you to engage in systematic, observation-based assessment by keeping anecdotal records on each child.

A Culturally Relevant Earth Science Curriculum: Engaging Students In Socioscientific Issues Through Socratic Seminars, Colin Matthew Gettle

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: How can Socratic seminars be used as a culturally relevant tool to increase student engagement and science literacy? This capstone project is based largely off the work of Gloria Ladson-Billings, who promoted the critical idea of culturally responsive teaching in all classrooms to promote equity and social engagement. Through the lens of culturally responsive pedagogy, this project aims to address the large engagement gaps that exist in many diverse academic settings. Specifically, the project is a set of three 8th grade Earth science units. Each unit addresses Minnesota State Eighth Grade …

Creating A Nature-Based Environmental Connection To At-Risk Ebd Students In A Self-Contained Classroom, Timothy L. Thayer

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research has shown that most students in conventional classrooms lack exposure to the natural world in the midst of the complete school day. Looking more specifically at students who have Emotional Behavior Disorders and being in a self-contained classroom can prevent ideal opportunities for the therapeutic benefits of exposure to what the outside environment can provide. The driving focus for this project is creating a nature-based environmental connection to at-risk EBD students in a self-contained classroom. Relying on the influence of biophilic design, this project utilizes many aspects of how natural features can benefit the students both emotionally and educationally. …

Perspectives Of Secondary Science Teachers And Adult Secondary Science Students On Technology Integration In A Science Curriculum, Tamekia Whitfield

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This qualitative intrinsic case study explored the perspectives of secondary science teachers and adult secondary science students on technology integration in a science curriculum in a high school program at a community college in North Carolina (NC). The researcher sought to answer the following research questions: How do secondary science teachers practice technology in a science curriculum in a high school program at a community college in North Carolina? How do adult secondary science students in a high school program at a community college in North Carolina experience technology in their science curriculum? Data were gathered utilizing three sources: individual …

Increasing Expression Of Civic-Engagement Values By Students In A Service-Learning Chemistry Course, Audrey Mcgowin, Rebecca Teed

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

A service-learning course at a midsized Midwestern research university was modified over a period of six years to integrate best-practice pedagogies that have been shown to increase civic engagement by students. Best-practice pedagogies included regular interaction with community partner(s), significant time spent on the service activity, and regular reflection (written and verbal) on the implications of the service activity. Besides water quality monitoring, students performed private well water analysis, wrote multiple formal reflection papers, and presented a public talk on the results of their project that included significant discussion time with community partners. Authentic expression of civic engagement values was …

Law School News: 'Rwu Law Is Essential To The Vision' 8-30-2019, Michael M. Bowden

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

The Roundtable Of Scientific Communication: From Classroom To Course Creation, Back To Classroom And Beyond, Sean P. Hickey

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This research encompasses many aspects of chemical education research including curriculum and pedagogical changes to the freshman and sophomore courses. Curriculum changes included the addition of recitations to the general chemistry and organic chemistry lectures and the creation of four new classes, CHEM 1001, 1002, 3091, and 3092. The addition of recitations was not limited to but was focused on improving DFW rates for these courses.

CHEM 3091 and 3092 are chemistry internship and undergraduate teaching assistant classes. These courses were necessary to offer outside internship opportunities and training for undergraduate teaching assistants, respectively. CHEM 1001 and 1002 are chemistry …

2019-2020 Ursinus College Course Catalogue, Office Of The Registrar

Ursinus College Catalogues, 1869-Present

A digital copy of the 2019-2020 Ursinus College Catalog. It contains details of the curriculum, departmental requirements and courses of instruction as well as the Open Questions core requirements, experiential learning and the Common Intellectual Experience (CIE). Academic policies, special opportunities and scholarships, off-campus programs and graduation requirements are also outlined.

Alignment Between Learning Objectives And Assessments In A Quantitative Literacy Course, Younggon Bae, Samuel L. Tunstall, Kathryn S. Knowles, Rebecca L. Matz

Numeracy

In this analysis, we examine how course assessment items were aligned with learning objectives in a quantitative literacy course at Michigan State University. The alignment analysis consisted of mapping assessment items to a list of operationalized learning objectives from the course. Our analysis shows how often the learning objectives are represented in assessment items, how often they are paired with other learning objectives, and how influential they are in contributing to a student’s course grade. In addition, through comparisons across four assessment types (e.g., exams and homework), we show how each learning objective was assessed differently within each assessment type. …

Framing Geologic Numeracy For The Purpose Of Geoscience Education: The Geoscience Quantitative Preparation Survey, Victor J. Ricchezza

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Geoscience Quantitative Preparation Survey (GQPS) was developed to address a deficiency in the available literature regarding the competency and preparation of early-career geologists in geoscience job-related quantitative skills – namely, geologic numeracy. The final version of the GQPS included self-confidence, usage, satisfaction, and demographic sections. The GQPS was expected to produce data that would allow for an evaluation of the geologic numeracy of early-career geologists and the success of approximately 20 years of increased focus on quantitatively literate geoscience graduates.

The self-confidence section of the GQPS included quantitative methods and quantitative skills. The usage section asked whether participants used …

Increasing The Participation And Success Of Struggling Students In High School Physics Courses, Ian O'Neill

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

O’Neill, I. Increasing the Participation and Success of Struggling Students in High School Physics Courses (2019) Physics is the most mathematically complex science course offered in the high school setting. Due to the higher level of mathematical proficiency needed to succeed in physics, it is common for school districts to place it as the final science course offered to high school students. Minnesota only requires students to take three years of science in order to graduate and has no specific requirement for physics. This has led to low enrollment and the negative stigma that physics is an unnecessary and difficult …

Teaching Multicultural Texts At The Secondary Level, Benjamin Tully

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project answers the question: What are the best practices for selecting and teaching multicultural literature in secondary schools in order to represent and build empathy for students from traditionally marginalized populations? The focus is two-fold as multicultural literature offers benefits to students in several forms. The research behind the project reviewed the literary canon that is traditionally taught, who holds curricular decision making power, the impacts and best practices for teaching multicultural literature, as well as strategies for building empathy via multicultural literature. The project is designed to serve as a consolidated resource for secondary English teachers who are …

Teaching Chemistry Through An Environmental Science Lens And The Effect Of Student Understanding And Motivation In Learning High School Science, Sara Peterson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research has shown that on average, student motivation for secondary sciences, especially physical sciences, decreases from ages nine to seventeen due to a perceived lack of connection to content. The curriculum designed for this project focuses on using socio-scientific issues (SSI) to relate an introductory knowledge of chemistry to environmental examples. Using SSI and real world, environmental examples has been shown to increase student understanding and interest in secondary science content. The project has combined the two to create a curriculum which lends to both socio-scientific issues and environmental examples to increase scientific relevancy in students. The curriculum will be …

Nuclear Engineering At The Air Force Institute Of Technology: A Unique Graduate School Experience For A Unique Set Of Students, Michael B. Shattan

Faculty Publications

In August 2018, the Air University Commander formed a task force to review the Air Force’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduate education programs that are delivered and administered through the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). The study was rooted in strategies to support the 2018 National Defense Strategy, and provided the necessary technologically equipped personnel for the 21st century. The study was commonly referred to as “reimagining AFIT”. Several themes emerged from the study, which include reaching a broader community of Airmen through alternate educational modes (e.g. distance learning, short course etc.), forming strategic educational and research …

The Effects Of Universal Pre-Kindergarten On School Readiness, Megan Royek

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Universal Pre-Kindergarten (Universal Pre-K) refers to government-funded preschool programs by the state (Rock, 2018). Universal Pre-kindergarten is an initiative to enhance children’s cognitive development and learning before entering kindergarten (Atchison, Parker & Diffey, 2017). Universal Pre-Kindergarten is a controversial topic due to the cost of sending students, which requires funding from the government (Rock, 2018). By conducting research through a literature review, I hope to discover the pros and cons of the effects of universal Pre-K on children’s educational trajectories as well as their cognitive development and social/emotional skills. Through research I hope to come to a concrete conclusion supported …

See And Be Seen: Young Adult Refugee Literature In The High School Curriculum, Patrice Splan

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are more than 25 million refugees in the world today, over half of whom are under the age of 18. As these young people adapt to new schools and communities, it is essential that all students have opportunities to see themselves represented in literature and to develop understandings of the experiences of others. This project provides an analysis of young adult refugee literature with a unit plan for application of texts in a ninth-grade Virginia English classroom, stressing the importance of education as a tool for awareness, reflection, and empathy.

Failure To Launch?: Advancing The Case For Financial Literacy Interventions In Postsecondary Education, Cathleen Snyder

Dissertations, 2014-2019

For college undergraduates, the thought of managing money is often new, exciting, and terrifying in the same breath. Some students have learned well from their parental and prior academic influences, and yet others may be overwhelmed by a lack of those same resources. As postsecondary institutions endeavor to level the proverbial playing field, helping college graduates launch into meaningful, financially independent lives, it begs additional consideration on the intervention methods that might be most impactful.

This study examined a for-credit, curriculum-based intervention specific to personal finance topics. It attempted to answer several key questions: How knowledgeable are students relative to …

Standards Based Social Emotional Learning For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cortney D. Roberts, Marissa L. Kase

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study investigates how professionals in the field perceive the usefulness of the Kase-Roberts Curriculum for Social Emotional Learning for Students with Autism. The study included 176 participants from divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children. Most of the participants had over 10 years of teaching experience (M= 13.42, SD= 1.6) which helped to increase the credibly of overall survey responses. Data was collected through a Likert scale online survey created by SurveyMonkey^TM and analysis of survey items were carried out. Results of the survey revealed that a total of 172 (98.29 %) participants are interested in the …

Integrating Art Into A Math Curriculum, Jessica Jeronimo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many schools follow a specific curriculum to teach state standards and expect students to grasp all information taught in a traditional manner. Art integration is an approach of teaching students and providing subject matter content (e.g., math) demonstrating through an art form. Given the range of how children learn, art may be a method of teaching content that is more motivational than a traditional approach. To address this, I will be conducting a 2-day curriculum teaching math while using art integration to a first-grade class at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Seaside, California.

A Comparison Of The Curricula Of The Top-Ranked Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Programs In The United States, Silvia Imanda

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

What constitutes an ideal prelicensure nursing curriculum is not well understood. Specifically, what are the strategic curricular sequencing and curricular themes or focus might be included to contribute to producing high quality graduates? The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study investigation was to look at successful programs and identify effective curricular sequencing and curricular themes or focus that might be inferred to have contributed to producing high quality graduates. Seven top-ranked prelicensure baccalaureate nursing programs were selected based on three national college rankings services. Based on data from interviews and publicly accessible documents, seven case studies were compared and …

Micro-Teaching, Justin Lowe

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This research topic explores the use of micro-teaching curriculum to increase content mastery of mathematical topics that pertain to the California state assessment. The participants for the Capstone project include 28 fourth-grade students in a public elementary school located within California’s Silicon Valley. The project consists of in-class teaching using micro-lesson plans that focus on re-teaching subjects that are relevant to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress testing. The project uses 2 tests given at the beginning and the end of a 2-week teaching period to show visual correlations between the curriculum and student’s content mastery. In the …